System Only Gives Me Useless Gifts

Professor Shao Shan noticed Li Yun going around to chat with everyone in the room. In an age where people were more used to seeing pixels than people, it was often intimidating to greet strangers, especially ones who were doctors. Li Yun's ease of socializing was an envious trait in addition to his medical skill.

"Doctor Li is quite interesting," Professor Yuan Yu commented as he approached Professor Shao Shan by the appetizer table.

"Did you make him an offer through Berne?" Professor Shao Shan wondered.

"I did, but he turned us down. Something about preferring to stay near family."

Professor Shao Shan didn't know much about Li Yun's personal life, but that was likely just an excuse not to take the offer. Li Yun's ability and potential shouldn't be limited to just a pharmaceutical researcher. "Did you see the surgery he did with acupuncture?"

Professor Yuan Yu turned serious. "Is it really possible to replace anesthesia with just acupuncture needles?"

"I asked myself that all the time even though I was there. I spoke with Doctor Xu who had assisted with the needle placement and he knows no one in the TCM world who has that ability."

"Unfortunately, I was not able to get a hold of the video. There were rumors, but you know how TCM studies like to make bogus and exaggerated claims."

Unfortunately, Professor Shao Shan was all too aware. Some great TCM practitioners could cure many types of ailments but were unable to explain the process in ways that could be replicated by others. That was a fatal flaw. If a medical skill couldn't be replicated, it would not be accepted in the world of science.

It didn't help that some TCM practitioners were too desperate for recognition that they make dubious claims. Like the news report that boasted the wonders of acupuncture needles being used as anesthesia in surgery. But an in-depth investigation would reveal that a strong localized anesthesia was also used. That type of reporting happened all too often, which made western doctors distrust TCM. It was why Professor Yuan Yu still had a hard time believing that surgery without any anesthesia even existed.

"I have a video…" Just as Professor Shao Shan was talking, Professor Ma Zong approached them.

"You two are boars, why are you talking about work at a dinner party?" Professor Ma Zong asked with his snarky voice.

"Professor Shao Shan is about to show me a very interesting video, top-secret," Professor Yuan Yu boasted.

"Oh ho, good things need to be shared," Professor Ma Zong forced himself into the conversation easily. "Where is the video?"

Professor Shao Shan kept the video, but the information about the patient was deleted so he didn't see the harm to show them. Everyone who was in the know simply called the video the Acupuncture Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery. The three professors headed up to the conference room.

Meanwhile, Li Yun was in the middle of talking with Doctor Mori and his translator. Due to the cultural differences, Li Yun wasn't sure if it was possible to read Doctor Mori. But as some experts would say, all humans share similar emotional expressions. When a typical person was happy, the person would smile. This trait was shared even in an isolated tribe with no connection to the globalized world.

"Doctor Mori doesn't like to touch other people," the translator said as Li Yun approached them to make conversation.

Li Yun felt it was pitiful for a surgeon to suffer from mysophobia. But then again, surgeons wore masks and gloves all the time in the OR. As he was trying to make polite conversations, he was severely disappointed that the doctor did not know a single thing about manga and anime.

"There's something wrong with him!" Li Yun thought.

"Doctor, how can you not know anything about pirates, soul reapers, and ninjas?" Li Yun was aghast.

As soon as the translator told Doctor Mori, they both laughed and spoke quickly in their native language.

"Ah ha, Doctor Mori was just commenting how you're like some of his students," the translator indirectly translate their conversation. "They all complain about the medical books they have to read, but have so much time to read comics."

It wasn't like Li Yun read a lot, just a few popular ones. Hobbies were important for maintaining a healthy mind. In college, Li Yun found out that when he relaxed, exercised, and even watched some TV, jing qi shen recovered almost as much as sleep as long as it was in moderation. As Li Yun was about to make another comment, the professors all joined in.

"Doctor Li, do you have a moment?" Professor Shao Shan.

Li Yun wondered why all three professors were looking for you.

"We are wondering if there's a way for you to use acupuncture to put Professor Yuan Yu to sleep," Professor Ma Zong proposed. "He had been experiencing a case of insomnia. According to some studies, acupuncture could alleviate some insomnia by releasing melatonin."

Li Yun looked at Professor Yuan Yu and smiled.

"Professor, you suffer from insomnia, but it's quite normal for people who think about work a lot," Li Yun stated. "You should consider meditation and changing your lifestyle first."

Professor Yuan Yu laughed. "Everyone tells me that, but I'm not good at sitting still for a long time."

"Then you will likely have insomnia, it's only natural," Li Yun knew some people were aware of their issues and never change until it evolved into a more serious illness. "Have you tried acupuncture treatment before?"

"I have for some time, but then I stopped my treatment."

Li Yun nodded. Any type of treatment wasn't a cure-all if people continued with their unhealthy lifestyle. He knew that the professors' true intention was see Li Yun's ability rather than to cure Professor Yuan Yu of his insomnia.

"All right, let's head to Professor Yuan Yu's room and we'll start a treatment," Li Yun proposed.

Out of all the acupuncture techniques, curing insomnia was well documented and analyzed. Li Yun had performed a couple of treatments in the ER to put people to sleep. It was a better alternative than to use opioid. As the translator translated their conversation to Doctor Mori, he also wanted to see Li Yun perform acupuncture. He was an admirer of TCM, but did not know enough about the theory.

All the doctors followed Li Yun into Professor Yun's room. Professor Yuan Yu changed out to his sleeping slacks and rested his stomach on the bed. Li Yun placed the first needle in the GV20 Baihui and EX-HN1 Sishencong points at the crown of the head to balance the yin and yang. Yang energy was better in the day and yin energy was better at night. When the pattern became imbalanced, insomnia was the natural result.
Li Yun then inserted the needles in the BL62 Shenmai point located at the right foot and the KI6 Zhaohai point on the left foot. Professor Yuan Yu's insomnia was caused by excess thoughts or yang in the Yangqiao Channel. The restless yang was unable to convert into yin, therefore, the Shaoyin Channel should be reinforced, and the Taiyang Channel should be reduced. There were regularities in the blood flow to the heart and spleen, so the BL15 Xinshu and BL20 Pishu points in the back should be nourished.

Professor Yuan Yu yawned unexpectedly. Li Yun placed another needle on the LV3 Tai Chong to strengthen the liver after he noticed the wine interacting with Professor Yuan Yu's system. Wine wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but Li Yun wanted to maintain the liver function to process it properly.

As soon as Li Yun placed the last needle on the HT7 Shenmen point on the wrist, Professor Yuan Yu closed his eyes and entered a state of deep sleep. Li Yun removed the needles and tucked the professor in while everyone looked amazed. Everyone wanted to ask how it was possible, but Li Yun signaled everyone to remain quiet and they left the suite.

"This has got to be an elaborate scheme by everyone here!" Professor Ma Zong was still not convinced. "Try it on me!"

Li Yun eventually placed Professor Ma Zong, Doctor Mori, and his translator to sleep. He then turned to Professor Shao Shan, expecting to do the same.

"Err, I'm afraid I won't wake up," Professor Shao Shan backed away for a moment. " We have an appointment with Little fYan tomorrow at 7am. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Professor Shao Shan hurried off to his room.